Russian Emperor to jump from five

The Doug Whyte-trained Russian Emperor (Galileo) - who is son of multiple Group 1-winning mare Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) - has been drawn in barrier four for the Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. 

The son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) will be out to add a second stakes race to his CV having landed the Hampton Court Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) at Royal Ascot last year when trained by Aidan O’Brien. The colt has yet to land a race since being moved to Hong Kong, but was last seen being narrowly beaten by Healthy Happy (Zoustar) in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (Listed, 1800m) on February 21. 

Shadow Hero (Pierro) was third behind Healthy Happy and Russian Emperor in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and he has been drawn in barrier seven for Saturday’s race. The son of Pierro (Lonhro) landed the 2019 Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) in 2019, before taking out the Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) in 2020.

Meanwhile, Healthy Happy will line up in barrier seven, while Excellent Proposal (Exceed And Excel), who landed the Hong Kong Classic Mile (Listed, 1600m) in January has been drawn in barrier eight.